Carmel Robinson

Pride shone throughout Lurgan as local legend Pat McGibbon brought another legend, Roy Keane (the Republic of Ireland assistant manager) around the town.

Former Manchester United player Keane spent a lot of time with the youngsters involved in Train To Be Smart (TTBS) at Centrepoint on Friday.

Gareth Meehan Pat McGibbon Roy Keane and friends

To the delight of the young lads, Keane posed for pictures and signed autographs, despite a late night at a charity function organised by the Lurgan man Pat.

Pat, a former teammate of Keane, organised the Cork man to give a special talk at a charity event to raise funds for the TTBS charity.

And having Roy Keane on the bill ensured the Armaqh City Hotel was packed to the rafters - plus raising thousands for Pat’s charity.

Keane was interviewed on stage by Irish League pundit Liam Beckett before fielding questions from a packed audience.

Roy Keane with some of the junior soccer players involved in Train To Be Smart

Ex-Northern Ireland defender McGibbon, now on the backroom staff at Portadown, has worked hard to put ‘An Evening with Roy Keane’ together.

Train To Be Smart (TTBS) Juniors charity is a Craigavon-based football coaching project that provides education to young people on the importance of sport for improving physical, mental and emotional health.

McGibbon has spoken of how the suicide of his brother Philip in 1993 devastated his family and how he is trying to use the tragedy to help future generations by encouraging them to open up and talk about their feelings.

Pat also gave a speech at the charity event about what he is trying to achieve with TTBS, as did renowned motivational speaker Watt Nicholl.

Many locals forked out generously at the auction raising much needed funds for the TTBS charity.